Cathedral of Brasília

The Cathedral of Brasilia ( Portuguese: Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida ) is a Catholic church building in the Brazilian capital Brasília.

The name stands for the person appearing or Aparecida Our love for appearing woman ( = Mary).

History

The cathedral was planned and carried out in conjunction with the construction of the Brazilian capital of the architect Oscar Niemeyer. Inauguration was on 31 May 1970. Renovation lasted 12 years.

Architecture

The Cathedral of Brasília is made of concrete and glass and is distinguished by its hyperbolic shape, which is caused by the same type 16 concrete columns. The building is circular and has a diameter of 70 meters.

The cathedral is partially buried in the earth and is one of the few buildings in Brasília who do not have the shape of a cube. The interior is largely empty, is located above the concrete cubes of the altar an egg -shaped sculpture that symbolizes the origin of life. Right in the center of the dome hovering three angels. In the walls of the crypt are gavetas, drawers, inlaid in the coffins of the future bishops should be pushed after her death.

The symbolism of the construction is ambiguous. The structure is interpreted as either a Crown of Thorns, a flower, praying hands or crown of Mary.

The four giant sculptures in front of the cathedral represent the four evangelists.

Acoustic phenomenon

The Cathedral offers a special acoustic phenomenon. The sound is so good passed along the circular concrete pedestal that a conversation in a normal voice is possible over a distance of about 25 meters.